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Trump is 'sitting' on $9 billion earmarked for COVID-19 testing because of a controversial advisor
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-hasnt-spent-9-billion-earmarked-for-coronavirus-testing-report-2020-10The Trump administration has yet to spend $9 billion allocated by Congress for COVID-19 testing because of a controversial advisor who has garnered significant influence over the White House's pandemic response, according to a Washington Post report based on interviews with 41 administration officials, advisors to the president, public-health leaders, and others.
Dr. Scott Atlas, a radiologist who is not an expert on infectious diseases, has taken a fervent stance against expanded testing, The Post reported, in contrast to the advice of top experts on the White House coronavirus task force such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday decried the Trump administration, and more specifically the Department of Health and Human Services, saying it was "sitting" on the $9 billion in funding for testing and tracing.
"We're demanding that the feds release ... those dollars," Schumer said, calling on the Trump administration to commit to a "robust testing and tracing program."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.
